09 Dec 2012 - FC Calne Rovers (H)

It's nearly Christmas but the Wootton Bassett Whites came to the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy for only their second home game of the season, and the first competitive game for several weeks. A very cold day but the bright sunshine stopped the pitch from freezing although the going for the boys was quite heavy.

Justin started the first half in goal.

The extended break from a proper game initially shows as Wootton Bassett struggle to find a rhythm and Calne repeatedly win the ball in midfield and pressure the Bassett defence. Justin is solid in goal though and is frequently called upon to intercept the oncoming forwards. A Calne corner though is attacked by Zach who plays a quick ball through to Zak who runs virtually the length of the pitch to win a corner from the chasing Calne defenders.

Calne regain possession but James wins the ball from a Calne throw in and puts in Zak again who beats a couple of Calne players and lays on a lovely pass to Todd. Todd continues his run and beats an oncoming defender but his shot from a narrow angle is into the side netting.

Wootton Bassett are starting to string some passes together and beginning to look more of a threat but when pushing up the field a Calne forward intercepts a pass and nips through the Bassett defense and his shot leaves Justin no chance.

Bassett 0 -1

Bassett don't let this setback get them down and almost straight away Jordan picks up the ball at halfway and runs straight through the middle of the Calne defence before passing to Todd whose shot is well saved by the Calne keeper.

More Bassett pressure results in a corner which is delivered nicely into the box by Jordan onto the head of Zach whose effort flies just wide.

Matthew is making some great tackles over on the right, and Brad is doing the same down the middle, smothering the Calne teams advances. Brad breaks up a play and Zach bursts through onto the loose ball. A look up sees Todd racing forward down the left and a nicely weighted pass gives Todd the room to pass to Zak to shoot just wide.

James intercepts the next Calne advance and plays out of defence to Todd again making his way up the wing. A really nice 1-2 with Zach sees Todd through to a shooting position but the shot is saved.

Calne break clear as Wootton Bassett are pushing up, trying for the equaliser, but Jordan races back and makes a superbly timed tackle to intercept.

Half Time 0 – 1

James takes place between the sticks for the second half.

Calne break early and earn themselves an indirect free kick on the edge of the Bassett box. Confusion reigns in the Bassett defence but the Calne free kick is blasted straight across the face of goal before being cleared by Grant.

A neat series of passes between Zak, Todd, and Justin have the Calne defence in tatters but the final ball to Zak pushes him just a little too wide and his shot is into the side netting.

A good period of Wootton Bassett pressure follows and a Calne mis-timed tackle gives away a free kick just iside their half. Jordan steps up and takes a lovely free kick into the heart of the Calne area but the bouncing ball is saved by the keeper before it can slip through to the net.

Still Bassett push up trying to get back in the game but Calne regain possession and one of their forwards break through one-on-one with James in goal. James stands up well to the oncoming attacker a makes a great save.

Todd and Zak make a move down the left and an overlapping Todd picks up the ball again who provides a nice cross to Justin. Justin heads it on to Grant whose nice shot is again saved by the Calne keeper.

Calne still endeavour to break out but their next foray is superbly intercepted by Grant who covers a lot of ground to get back and win the ball. Grant runs back at the Calne midfield and is coolly able to slot a pass through to Todd who shoots just wide of the post.

Play is switched out to the right and Bassett win a throw in just inside the Calne half. The throw in comes to Matthew in a bit of space near the sideline so he knocks in a lovely looping shot that clears the outstretched Calne keeper before nestling in the back of the Calne net.

1 – 1

Only a few minutes remain and Wootton Bassett push on for the winner but the final whistle blows before any further goals are scored.

Result Wootton Bassett Whites 1 FC Calne Rovers 1

The extended break from football was evident early on but the boys soon got their heads together and got their passing game going again. A fair result overall. For his consistent attitude and effort Man Of The Match was awarded to Brad Sealey.

Coaches analysis – All the boys played well and man of the match could have gone to several players on the day and in particular both goal keepers played exceptionally well even though they are outfield players.

Wootton Bassett Whites : Zach Bunce, James Evans, Todd Goddard, Justin Hemedy, Jordan Langford (Capt), Grant Moynihan, Matthew Nicholls (1), Brad Sealey, Zak Thompson

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:39